Once in Paris by Diana Palmer

“I’ve saved it all up.”
    He felt as if the world were crashing down on his head. He had to stop looking at her, thinking of her, wanting her. He’d put her right out of his mind until he’d come to Nassau.Then he’d seen her again, at her stepfather’s, and all the wicked, forbidden longings had surfaced again at his first sight of her after the months of absence.
    His fingers edged between hers in a sensual caress. “I’m thirty-seven,” he bit off.
    â€œSo what?” she asked breathlessly.
    â€œSo you aren’t even legal yet.”
    â€œExcuses, excuses,” she muttered huskily. Her lips parted as the sensual caress of his fingers threatened to stop her heart. “For God’s sake, can’t you just do something? Anything!”
    His eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at her. “With Mary right in the house and Arthur likely to come looking for me any second?”
    She groaned aloud.
    He made a rough sound under his breath and glared at her. He jerked his hand back and stood up, turning his back to her while he fought to stop himself from reaching for her, right over the table.
    He jammed his hands hard into his pockets and grimaced when he saw how it outlined the raging, highly visible arousal he couldn’t help.
    Margo was the only woman who’d ever been able to do this to him instantly. It seemed that the long abstinence was making him careless,and vulnerable. He had to get this wide-eyed innocent out of his life.
    She was already inside the house by the time he turned around, heading right toward the front door.
    He went after her, noticing when he joined her at the curb that she wouldn’t look at him.
    â€œSorry,” she said through her teeth. She was clutching her purse as if she expected it to make a break for freedom. “I don’t honestly know what came over me. Maybe it’s some tropical virus that makes your mouth independent of your brain.”
    He chuckled in spite of himself. “Not quite. But it seems to be contagious.”
    She wouldn’t look at him. “Don’t make fun of me, please.”
    â€œI don’t know what else to do,” he said bluntly. “I’m not seducing children this week. Sorry.”
    She glared up at him. “I was trying to seduce you ,” she pointed out. “With no success whatsoever, I might add. I guess I’ll have to find some sort of school where they teach seduction and take lessons.”
    He burst out laughing. “You shameless hussy!”
    â€œThanks. I’ll file that compliment along with all the others.”
    â€œIt wasn’t a compliment.”
    â€œIf you don’t do it, he will,” she said, suddenly serious. “I’ll throw myself in Nassau harbor right in front of the Prince George Wharf before I’ll let Sabon touch me!”
    â€œWhat do I have to do with him?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.
    â€œHe likes virgins. Virgins!”
    â€œAh,” he murmured. “I begin to see the light. If you become suddenly experienced, he’ll lose interest, you think?”
    â€œYes, I do. And if you’d cooperate, I’d be right off the endangered species list. But, oh no, you can’t make one little sacrifice for my whole future! Excuse me for asking you to risk your body in bed with me!”
    His eyebrows levered up as he stared down at her. “Careful,” he said softly. “You’re walking on broken glass.”
    â€œI’d like to create some,” she muttered. She looked away from him and sighed loudly. “Well, I’ll go to the casino over on Paradise Island tonight. Surely there’s some man desperate enough to give me what I need….”
    He jerked her around and held her bruisinglyby one arm. His black eyes blazed down at her. “Don’t you dare,” he said in a voice that sent chills down her spine.
    â€œWell, you won’t!” she